James Douglas Salisbury passed away on September 7, 2023, at Piedmont Health Care Center in Piedmont, Alabama after a brief illness. Jim was born on December 20, 1951, in Orange, New Jersey, the second son and fourth child of F. Randall Salisbury and Jean Arnott Salisbury. At an early age he discovered that his true calling and future vocation was music. Jim played several instruments in school in Maplewood, New Jersey but decided drums were his favorite. Jim and several friends started a band, William and the Conquerors, and performed at local events in Maplewood. After graduating from Connetquot High School in Bohemia, New York in 1971 Jim began performing professionally in New York and New Jersey. In the summer of 1973, he joined his childhood friend, Curtis Young, and with the band, Home Grown, performed at a venue in Strasburg Virginia. After this gig he and Curtis decided that there were more opportunities for aspiring musicians in Hollywood California. Over the next four plus decades Jim found work there as a drummer with numerous bands and recording artists, including Calvin Davidson and Dark Horse, Grey Dog, Karen Tobin, Albert Lee, Sneaky Pete Kleinow, George Highfill, Gary Allen and others. He also toured with groups throughout the United States and Europe. One of his proudest performances was for military personnel at Guantanamo Bay Cuba during three Christmas holidays. He was also an accomplished teacher and inspired future drummers by offering lessons at the Drummers Woodshed and West Valley Music Center in the Los Angeles area. Due to declining health Jim relocated to Autumn Cove Assisted Living in Anniston, Alabama in April 2021. Dr. Michael Ingram, the entertainer at Autumn Cove, soon discovered Jim’s extraordinary musical talent and asked him to join his act. The duo performed several times a week to the delight of the residents and staff for the past twenty-eight months. One of Jim’s avocations was drawing, and his pencil portrait of the legendary John Lennon amazed all who had the pleasure of viewing it.
The family thanks the many people who assisted with Jim’s transition from California to Alabama including Owen Goldman, Letty Garcia Villarreal, Kim Bradley, Kenny Lauderbaugh, Lin and Lawson Veasey, Russ Lemmons, and the staffs at Autumn Cove, Piedmont Health Care Center, and Southern Care New Beacon Hospice.
James D. Salisbury was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Jean Salisbury Gill and his brother, William Salisbury. He is survived by his sister, Susan Salisbury Lauderbaugh (George) of Jacksonville, Alabama, his sister-in-law, Diane Salisbury of Washington, D.C., three nephews: David Gill (Peg) of Gansevoort, NY, Kenneth Lauderbaugh of Wetumpka, AL and F.W. Randall Salisbury of Washington, D.C.; three nieces: Mary Kate Stoller (Keith) of Arlington, VA, Kim Bradley (Mike) of the Woodlands, TX and Avery Salisbury Green (Eric) of Washington, D.C., seven great nieces and one great nephew, and several cousins. At his request there will be no funeral or memorial service.
